Container for tomatoes and the like



March 31 1959 w. B. CRANE 2,879,886

CONTAINER FOR TOMATOES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. M400 5. Qenuz 1' l I I I! 770NEV March 31, 1959 w.'B. CRANE CONTAINER FOR TOMATOES AND THE. LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 20, 1955 INVENTOR. M1 Tau/5f 694M: 5%

GENE

2,879,886 Patented Mar. 31, 1959 CONTAINER FOR TOMATOES AND THE LIKE Walton B. Crane, South Pasadena, Calif., assignor to Allied Plastics Company, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 20, 1955, Serial No. 554,278 I 12 Claims. (Cl. 206-72) This invention relates generally to article carriers and particularly to a container forpackaging tomatoes and the like.

The present application is a continuation-in-part-of; my copending application Serial No. 505,321, filed May" 2, 1955, and entitled Container for Tomatoes and the Like, now abandoned. I I Heretofore it has been common practice to package tomatoes or like "articles of food in open faced cardboard cartons which are enveloped in a transparent wrapping, such as cellophane, or provided with a win-- dow, so as to present the contents of the containers to the view of the purchaser. Generally the articles are packaged four to a carton. V Y I I 9 Such existing cartons or containers are excessively costly to manufacture and fill, and the packagingmachinery required for filling the containers is complex and expensive. Moreover, the transparent wrapping forms substantially an airtight envelope about the tomatoes, whereas it is desirablethat air be circulated freely over the articles so as to aid in the preservation of the latter. 7 V p Another disadvantage of the existing packages orcontainers is that in those instances Where the articles are tobe packaged atthe point of sale, the cardboardcar-f tons m ust be stored in a fiat, unfolded condition so as to conserve space. Packaging of the articles necessitates, therefore, the folding of the cardboard forms to their carton shape, the placing of the, articles in the cartons, and the application of the cellophane wrapping about the: cartons. It willbe apparentthat such an operation is tedious and time consuming. M i i Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the container of Fig. l

l with articles of food, such as tomatoes, shown filling the container; 1 Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; i n Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially along line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the manner of stacking a plurality of the present containers in their empty condition;

. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of container;

Fig.- 8 is an enlarged sectional detail. of one end of thdcontaine'r of Fig. 7 illustrating the manner in which the upstanding ends of the container are flexed to load or remove articles from the container;

Fig. 9 is a perspectiveview of a still further modified,

'- of Pig. 9.

The container illustrated in Figs. 1-6, which may be used to package tomatoes, apples, oranges or other similarly shaped articles of food, and which may advantaside flanges 12, These side flanges are sloping, as shown,

, to facilitate removal of the container from a mold, when employed, and also to permit more compact stacking of a plurality of such containers.

Web portion 11 is formed with a plurality of spaced, laterally extending, rectangular openings 13 overlying each of which is a loop 14 of generally semi-circular shape when viewed from the end of the container. These loops are formed by straps or ribs which have their lower ends integrally joined to opposite sidesof the base and which are joined at their upper ends at the crowns of the loops. The opposed legs or ribs of the loopsare,

An objectof this invention is toprovide a co ntainer I V for tomatoes ,or like articles of food which isrelatively simple and inexpensive to fabricate and fill Another object of he invention is the;provision oli-a free circulation of air .over the container contents.

.Still another object is theprovision of a container of the character described which may. be conveniently acked in a minimum of space and which may be easily andquickly filled at apoint of sale,

. further object of the invention is a container of the character described which permits sub-: stantiallythe entire surfaceof the paclcaged articles ,to be viewed. Y

Still a further object is the provision of:.a container of the character described which ispreferably, though. not necessarily, fabricated ofa moldedplastic material and whose shape is such as to permit the .use of molds of relatively simple shape. V .A more complete understanding of the invention anda fuller appreciation of its features and advantages may be had by a reading of the following detailed description of the invention wherein reference is had to the annexed drawings, in which:. A x e Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one rfortr of the" container ofthisinvention} container of thecharacter described ,which pei'mjitsl the the provision: of I adjacent their juncture with side flanges 12, of a width substantially equal to or less than the Width of the openings 13, the legs becoming progressively narrower toward the crowns of the loops.

, As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the intermediate ones of the loops 14 are, in those containers for packaging tomatoes A, spaced at distance substantially equal to the maximum dimension of one of the tomatoes, taken longitudinallyof the base, and overlie the approximate centers of the tomatoes, while the loops at the ends of the base and the intermediate loops immediately adjacent thereto are spaced a distance substantially equal to onehalf of said maximum dimension.

- Where generally spherical articles, such as apples or oranges are packaged, the loops are spaced to overlie the articles at their approximate centers and the above described loop spacings would be, respectively,substantially equal to the diameter and radius of the fruit. The diameterof the loops, of course, is sufi'leient to allow the 1 articles A to pass thereunder.

I openings 13, is of latticed construction, as shown, so as to provide a plurality of generally square openings 17 through the web portion.

The container shown in Figs. 1-6 may be filledineither' of two ways. When packaging tomatoes or other generally non-spherical articles, the preferred practice is to insert the first, second, and third tomatofcounting" froni' the right in Fig. 2, into the package by passing them between adjacent loops and positioning them in the package in the manner indicated in the drawing. The fourth tomato is inserted through the left hand end of the package and serves to lock all of the tomatoes in position after which an end closure 18 is pressed into the opening defined by the base and left hand loop 14. This closure may be retained in place by locking means 19 (Fig. 5) between the closure and left hand loop. This method of filling the container is preferred, in the case of tomatoes, or other generally non-spherical articles in order that such articles may be properly positioned therein, as shown in Fig. 2, which proper positioning might not result if the articles were rolled into the container from one end.

Generally spherical articles, such as apples and oranges, on the other hand, may be inserted into the container by merely rolling them through the open left hand end thereof.

The loop arrangement and spacing and overall container size will, of course, vary with the size and number of articles packaged. Moreover, in some instances the material employed in the fabrication of the container may be relatively rigid while in other instances, as where articles having irregular surface features are to be packaged, it may be desirable that relatively flexible material be employed so that the loops may conform to the shape of the particular article which they overlie.

It will be seen that substantially the entire surfaces of the packaged articles A may be viewed by the purchaser and the container is completely open so as to permit the free circulation of air over the articles. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, several containers may be conveniently stacked in a minimum of space by passing the loops 14 of one container through the openings 13 of the adjacent container.

The modified container of Figs. 7 and 8 is generallysimilar to the container of Fig. 1 and comprises a base 20, of generally channel-shaped cross section, including upwardly and inwardly sloping side and end flanges 2 1 and 22 respectively and a web portion 23. This web portion 23 includes three spaced, latticed sections 24, 25,. and 26, defining therebetween transverse, rectangular openings 27, and a pair of transverse ribs 28 spaced from the two outer latticed sections 24 and 26 so as to define two additional rectangular openings 27' and spaced from the end flanges 22 so as to define a pair of transverse openings 27" of somewhat greater width than the openings 27 and 27 overlying the two central openings 27 are a pair of loops 28 the opposite legs or ribs of which become progressively narrower toward the crowns of the loops. The lower ends of the legs merge with the side flanges 21 and have a base width substantially equal to or less than the width of the respective openings 27. Extending upwardly from the side flanges 21, at opposite ends of each of the openings 27, and having a base width substantially equal to or less than the width of the openings 27', are upstanding arcuate ribs or fingers 29 which decrease in width toward their tips and which are inwardly curved so that the tips overlie the ends of the openings 27'. The tips of each pair of ribs terminate in laterally spaced relation, asshown.

A pair of end loops 30 overlie the end openings 27", the opposite legs or ribs of which end loops merge, attheir lower ends, with the side flanges 21 at the ends thereof and are joined at their upper ends to form the crowns of the loops, the crowns being provided with ar- As in the previous container, the spacing between the loops 28 and between the latter loops and the fingers 29 is substantially equal to the maximum dimension of the tomato or other article to be packaged, taken longitudinally of the container, while the spacing between the fingers 29 and the end loops 30 is approximately one-half of said dimension.

In loading the container, a tomato or other article is disposed under each of the loops 28, as in the container of Fig. 1, by passing such articles between the loops 28 or between the loops 28 and the fingers 29. Additional articles are then positioned at each end of the container by flexing the end loops 30, as illustrated in phantom lines in Fig. 8, and spreading the fingers 29 sufficiently to enable the articles to be dropped into place between the fingers. Upon release of the end loops, the latter will, owing to their resiliency, return to positions wherein the lips 31 overlie the end articles and retain the latter in position in the container while the fingers 29 will prevent lateral movement of the articles.

The end, ribs 32 converge slightly upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawing, so that several containers may be stacked in a fashion similar to that illustrated in Fig. 6, the enlarged end openings 27 in the base allowing the passage of the lips 31 on one container through the base of the next so as toaccommodate such stacking.

The modified container of Figs. 9 and 10 is generally similar to the first two described forms of the present container and comprises a rectangular base 40 having sloping side and end flanges 41 and 42, respectively, and a latticed web 43 formed with a series of transversely elongated openings 44. Overlying the end ones of the openings 44 are a pair of loops 45. The space between the loops 45- and the end flanges 42 are bridged by upwardly and inwardly sloping ribs 46.

Rising from the side flanges 41 at opposite ends of the intermediate ones of the openings 44 are upstanding inwardly sloping fingers 47 which narrow toward their tips and which tips are inwardly curved to overlie the ends of openings 44.

These fingers 47 are, as shown most clearly in Fig. 10, formed to provide generally V-shaped troughs 48 on their inner surfaces and V-shaped ribs 49 on their outer surfaces. These ribs and troughs are contained at their lower ends through the side flanges 41, as illustrated and become progressvely narrower toward the tips of the fingers. The end ribs 46 of the container slope inwardly in'the same manner as in the previously described container so as to permit stacking of a plurality of containers with the loops 45 and fingers 47 of one container passing through the openings 44 of the next and with the ribs 49 on the fingers of one container fitting in the grooves 48 of the fingers on the next container.

Loading of the container of Fig. 9, which is made of suitable flexible material, is accomplished by laterally spreading the fingers 47 to accommodate the passage oftomatoes or other articles therebetween, after which the fingers are released and return, because of their resiliency, to their normal positions wherein their tips partially overlie the, articles to retain the latter in the container. The ribs 49 on the fingers 47 lend sufiicient rigidity to the latter to enable them to retain the packaged articles in the container under normal handling conditions.

The present container is preferably fabricated as a molded plastic article in which case the slope of the base side flanges and the narrowing of the loops and fingers toward their crowns, in addition to facilitating stacking of several containers, provide the draft necessary to ready removal of the articles from the molds. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, however, that the present container may be made other than by molding processes and from other than plastic material, as for example, from various forms of cardboard or paper material.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that there has been disclosed a container for tomatoes or other theobjects and advantages heretofore set forth.

While certain preferred forms of the invention have been described and llustrated it is not intended that the invention should be restricted to such forms but only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim: f

1. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes or the like, comprising: a rectangular base, a plurality of straps integrally joined at their ends to opposite sides of the base and forming a plurality of loops overlying and spaced longitudinally of the base, there being one loop at each end of the base, said loops and base defining openings of a size to permit the passage of said articles therethrough, the spacing between adjacent intermediate loops being substantially equal to a given dimension of one of the articles to be packaged and the spacing between the end loops and their adjacent intermediate loops being substantially .equal to one-half of said dimension whereby said intermediate loops are positioned so that each will overlie one of the packaged articles, said base being formed with-a plurality of holes therethrough to permit the free circulation of air through the container and with a transverse slot alined with each of said loops, said slots .having dimensions such that a plurality of said, containers may be stacked with the loops of one container projecting. through the slots in the adjacent container, integral strips bridging the opening defined by the base and an end one of said loops whereby to prevent the passage of said articles through said latter opening, and a removable closure for sealing the opening defined by the base and the other end one of said loops.

2. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes and the like comprising: a rectangular base, a pair of straps integrally joined at their lower ends to opposite sides of the base at the ends of the latter and forming a pair of loops bridging the ends of the base, pairs of transversely alined fingers integrally joined at their lower ends to the sides of the base in inwardly spaced relation to said loops, the tips of said fingers being curved to overlie the base, at least an additional pair of straps integrally joined at their lower ends to opposite sides of the base intermediate said fingers and in spaced relation to the latter and to each other and forming loops bridging intermediate portions of the base, said loops and base defining openings of a size to permit the passage of said articles therethrough, and the fingers in each pair of fingers accommodating the positioning of an article therebetween, the spacings between said intermediate loops and said intermediate loops and said fingers being substantially equal to one-half of the dimension of one of said articles taken longitudinally of the base when the articles are packaged in the container whereby said fingers are adapted to retain packaged articles therebetween and said intermediate loops are each positioned to overlie one of the packaged articles, the end loops and said fingers being spaced a distance substantially equal to one-half of said dimension, means at least partially closing the openings defined by the base and end loops, and said end loops being formed with longitudinally inwardly extending lips at their crowns for overlying the packaged articles retained between the adjacent pair of fingers, said container being made of a flexible material.

3. The subject matter of claim 2 wherein said base is formed with openings underlying the loops and the fingers, said openings having a width longitudinally of the base at least equal to the maximum dimension of their corresponding loops and fingers taken longitudinally of the base.

4. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes and the like comprising: a rectangular base, a pair of straps integrally joined at their lower ends to opposite sides of the base at the ends of the latter and forming a pair of loops bridging the ends of the base, a plurality of upstanding fingers integrally joined at their lower ends to opposite sides of the base in transversely alined pairs, the tips of saidfingers being inwardly curved to overlie the base and being spaced from the latter adistance to accommodate the positioning of one of said arti cles between each pair of fingers with said tips overlying the articles, said pairs of fingers being spaced longitudinally ofthe base a distance substantially equal to the'dimension of one of said articles takenlongitudinally of the base when the article is packaged in the container said loops and the adjacent pairs of fingers being spaced a distance j substantially equal to one-half of said dimension; means at least partially closing the openings defined by the base and said loops, and said container being made of a flexible material.

5. The subject matter of claim 4 wherein said fingers at least equal to the maximum dimension of their respective loops and fingers taken longitudinally of the base.

6. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes and the like comprising an elongated base, a plurality of upstanding members joined to opposite sides of and curving over the base in spaced relation thereto,

said members being spaced longitudinally of the base tooverlie articles packaged in the container, said base being formed with openings each underlying one of said members and having a dimension taken longitudinally of the base at least equal to the dimension of the corresponding member taken longitudinally of the base whereby several containers may be stacked with the members on one container extending through the openings in the next container.

7. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes and the like comprising an elongated base, a plurality of upstanding ribs joined at their lower ends to and curving over the base, said ribs being arranged in transversely aligned pairs spaced longitudinally of the base, the spacing between the pairs of end ribs proximate to the ends of the base and the pairs of ribs adjacent to said end ribs being substantially one-half of the spacing between the remaining adjacent pairs of ribs, said end ribs and at least one intermediate pair of ribs being joined at their upper ends to form loops bridging the base, there being at pair of ribs between each of the end loops at the ends of the base and the intermediate loop, the upper end of said latter ribs terminating in laterally spaced relation to form transversely aligned fingers, said end loops having longitudinally inwardly extending lips at their crowns and comprising flexible material, and closure means bridging the openings in said end loops.

8. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes and the like comprising an elongated base, a plurality of upstanding ribs joined at their lower ends to and curving over the base, said ribs being arranged in transversely aligned pairs spaced longitudinally of the base, the spacing between the pairs of end ribs proximate to the ends of the base and the pairs of ribs adjacent to said end ribs being substantially one-half of the spacing between the remaining adjacent pairs of ribs, said end ribs being joined at their upper ends to form a pair of end loops bridging the ends of the base, the remaining pairs of ribs having their upper ends terminating in laterally spaced relation and forming pairs of aligned fingers, said fingers comprising flexible material, and closure means bridging the opening in the end loops.

9. The subject matter of claim 8 wherein said fingers are formed to provide strengthening ribs on their outer surfaces and correspondingly shaped troughs on their inner surfaces extending lengthwise of the fingers, said base being formed with openings underlying the fingers and loops and having dimensions taken longitudinally of the 7 base at least equal to the maximum dimensions of their corresponding ribs whereby one container is adapted to be stacked on top of another container.

10. A container for packaging articles of food such as tomatoes and the like comprising an elongated base, a plurality of upstanding ribs joined to the base and curving transversely thereover for overlying articles packaged in the container, said ribs being substantially equally spaced longitudinally of the base whereby generally spherical articles of food having a diameter substantially equal to the longitudinal spacing between said ribs may be so packaged in the container that each rib overlies the center of one of the packaged articles and adjacent packaged articles abut one another substantially midway between their respective ribs, upstanding closure means on the ends of the base for preventing accidental separation ofpackaged articles from the container at the ends of the latter, said closure means being spaced from the ribs adjacent thereto a distance substantially equal to onehalf of said first mentioned spacing whereby longitudinally outer ones of said generally spherical articles when the latter are packaged in the container will abut said closure means and the package articles will be retained in proper packaged positions below their respective ribs, said ribs comprising at least one pair of transversely aligned, flexible fingers at opposite sides of said base, said fingers being adapted to be spread to permit placing of an article in the package.

11. A container for packaging'a plurality of generally identical articles of. food such as tomatoes and the like, comprising: an elongate base, a,pair. of upstanding end closures at opposite ends of said base for retainingarticles in the container against endwise movement from i the latter, at least two pairs of. upstanding ribs between said end closures joined at their lower ends to opposite sides of said base, the upper ends of said ribs-curving over said, base, to overlie articles in the container, the ribs of each pair being aligned transversely of said base and the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,711,877 Drehmann May 7, 1929 2,113,288 Berger Apr. 5, 1938' 2,476,948 Sanford July 19, 1949 2,706,038 Murphy et al. Apr. 12, 1955 

